Ramanujan Fellowship

Ramanujan Fellowship gives Indian and Indian-origin scientists and engineers working abroad a monthly fellowship of ₹1,35,000 and a research grant of ₹7 lakh per year so they can return to India and continue their research. Nominations for the 2026 batch are open till 31 December 2026, 5:00 pm, and the scheme is now looked after by Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.

The fellowship is meant for brilliant researchers who want to come back to India and take up scientific positions in Indian universities, institutions, and national laboratories. Selection is strict and only researchers with a proven record of publications and recognition get selected. Once selected, a fellow can work in any scientific institution in the country and remains eligible for other research grants from S&T agencies of the Government of India.

Ramanujan Fellowship - Introduction

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has invited nominations for Ramanujan Fellowship for the year 2026. As per the official notice on the ANRF website, nominations will be received throughout the year, that is, until 31 December 2026, 5:00 pm. Earlier this fellowship was processed by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB); now the nomination form is filled online at the ANRF portal, www.anrfonline.in.

The fellowship is scientist-specific and very selective. It helps bring back Indian scientists and engineers working abroad who want to return to India for research. The duration of the fellowship is five years and it is not extendable.

Selected fellows get a monthly fellowship of ₹1,35,000, which is consolidated and includes HRA, a research grant of ₹7,00,000 per year for consumables, travel, research personnel, and contingencies, and ₹60,000 per year as overhead charges to the host institution.

Highlights of Ramanujan Fellowship 2026

Ramanujan Fellows can choose any S&T institution, university department, academic institution, or national laboratory in India as their host, provided the host agrees to give the required administrative and research infrastructure. The fellowship is meant for working in new areas and laboratories, other than the one where the candidate completed the doctorate. Nominations from the Ph.D guide or from the institute where the candidate pursued the Ph.D are not considered.

Benefits

Selected researchers get a support package to carry out independent research in India:

• Monthly Fellowship: A consolidated amount of ₹1,35,000 per month, including the House Rent Allowance (HRA) component.
• Research Grant: ₹7,00,000 per year for consumables, personnel, travel, and research contingencies.
• Overhead Charges: ₹60,000 per year paid to the host institution.
• Other Grants: Ramanujan Fellows can apply for regular research grants through extramural funding schemes of S&T agencies of the Government of India.

Eligibility

To apply for Ramanujan Fellowship 2026, the candidate needs to satisfy these points:

• Working abroad: Candidate should be an Indian or Indian-origin scientist or engineer working abroad at the time of nomination.
• Age limit: Candidate should be below 40 years of age.
• Qualification: Higher degree such as Ph.D in Science or Engineering, Master's in Engineering or Technology, or MD in Medicine, with adequate professional experience.
• Track record: Proven and outstanding record visible from research publications and recognition.
• No job in India: Candidate should not hold any permanent, tenure-track, or contractual position in any Indian institution or university.
• New area: Research area and host lab should be different from the institute where the candidate earned the doctorate.

Note: Nominations from the Ph.D guide or from the same institute where the candidate pursued the Ph.D are not accepted. If a selected fellow gets any permanent, tenure-track, or contractual position during the fellowship, he or she loses eligibility for the fellowship including the research grant and overhead, and has to give up the fellowship fully.

Application Process

Ramanujan Fellowship is a nomination-based scheme. The application is filled online and submitted through the host institution. Here is how the process works:

STEP 1 - Find a suitable S&T institution, university, or national laboratory in India that is willing to host your research and provide the needed infrastructure.

STEP 2 - Approach the head of that institution and ask them to nominate you for Ramanujan Fellowship.

STEP 3 - Register yourself on the official ANRF online portal (www.anrfonline.in) and fill all the mandatory fields in the Profile Details section.

STEP 4 - Under Form Submission, choose Scheme: Ramanujan Fellowship and fill the nomination form with nominee details, qualification details, and nominator details.

STEP 5 - Upload the proposed area of research and a brief outline of the proposal in a single PDF file of not more than 5 pages, then click on "Send to Nominator".

STEP 6 - The nominator gets an email with a link to the ANRF portal, reviews the application, and submits the nomination to ANRF. Both nominee and nominator receive confirmation of successful submission.

Selection: A Search-cum-Selection Committee specially appointed by ANRF selects Ramanujan Fellows periodically. Selected candidates have to join the host institute within six months of the approval letter, otherwise the award is cancelled automatically.

Documents

Keep these documents ready before filling the nomination form. All documents should be in PDF format in the prescribed format:

• Nomination letter from the host institution on letterhead, duly signed and stamped (template available on the ANRF portal)
• Curriculum Vitae of the nominee
• Plagiarism undertaking in the prescribed format
• Passport-sized photograph, proof of age, and certificates of all educational qualifications
• Detailed publication list and records of awards, honors, and research recognition
• Proof of any patents filed, granted, or commercialized
• Research proposal PDF of not more than 5 pages

References

For any query related to the fellowship, contact the Programme Officer at ANRF, Technology Bhavan, New Delhi, phone +91-11-26552216, email anrf-fellowships@anrf.gov.in.

Official ANRF Website

Ramanujan Fellowship Details on ANRF Portal

Ramanujan Fellowship on SERB Website

Call for Nominations for Ramanujan Fellowship PDF

FAQ's

Is the grant under Ramanujan Fellowship taxable?

Yes, the grant received under Ramanujan Fellowship is taxable as per the current Income Tax rules.

Who can apply for Ramanujan Fellowship 2026?

Indian and Indian-origin scientists and engineers working abroad, below 40 years of age, who want to return to India and take up research positions. The candidate should have a Ph.D or equivalent degree and a strong research record.

How do I apply for Ramanujan Fellowship?

First, find a host institution in India that agrees to host you. Then register on the ANRF online portal www.anrfonline.in, fill the Ramanujan Fellowship nomination form, upload the research proposal, and send it to your nominator. The nominator verifies and submits the nomination to ANRF.

What happens if I get a permanent job during the fellowship?

If a fellow gets any permanent, tenure-track, or contractual position, he or she becomes ineligible for the fellowship along with the research grant and overhead, and must relinquish the fellowship fully.

How long is Ramanujan Fellowship valid?

The fellowship is valid for a period of five years and is not extendable.

Can I change my host institute?

Yes, a fellow can transfer to another institute with ANRF approval by submitting NOCs from both institutions, provided the fellow does not hold any permanent, tenure-track, or contractual position.

What is the last date to apply in 2026?

Nominations for Ramanujan Fellowship 2026 are accepted until 31 December 2026, 5:00 pm.